Paper "Bird"

Vector was the right decision.  Click to enlarge

Paper Bird

I finished the proto for "Bird" which will be included as a cut out in the back of Migration #3. Next comes the illustration part to go on the panels.  It wont be vector because that wouldn't be in line with the comic.  So it will be Bird's regular red watercolor.  It took me a lot of tries to get it right.  The style and size of the beak took the longest.  "Lion" should be in #4.  

Hello

Bird was guided east where he was shown a large shady tree holding a flock birds.  How comfortable they looked; how at ease!  At the assurance of his new friend, he took a smooth branch and immediately fell asleep.  He dreamed of sunshine and seed, and a proper nest.

"I'm Leaving"

Good Morning "My Friend"

Owl and Mouse

IF: Impossibility

She couldn't believe her ears.  Though he was a murderer, his death caused her great pain.  

They Were Brothers

Summer Season Fights / Tiger's End

Not all left in shame of course.  There were always deaths.  No one was surprised when Owl beat Sparrow or even when the two large crows lost to Falcon, but who took Tiger?  The only one really capable was Lion and he never took part in the summer fights.  Never the less, Tiger laid in the middle of the growing crowd.  Panic swept over some who began to talk of spirits and curses.

..............

Cherry Red meet Cobalt Turquoise Light.  The non-red in this is super close to what I was using digitally in the Alligator in the last post.  The Migration sketchbook was a little up tight about it but it seems fine now.  I'm going page to page, back to back in there.  I want to fill it without skipping so in the end Ill have it solid without tear outs.  I'm waiting for the first big mistake. So far, so good.

Today I folded a lot of the first Migration zines.  Volume Two will be "Summer Season Fights".  Some will also be banded with a printed flower pattern similar to the ones covering Tiger.  At least one will get an origami crane folded with the same pattern.

Strategy

It was a stand off.  One move forward and bird would be done.  Lion had no intention of provoking cat any further than to distract him. As their eyes locked, and concentration focused, eagle flew in and grabbed cat.  Cats mouth opened in anger more than surprise, letting bird escape.  Cat had no control.

The Future of Migration

Iv started writing annotations to the Migration story/entries.  I thought since the story was so disjointed that they might fit in its structure.  Eventually, I will make a little comic book.  That's the plan anyway.  The annotations will appear but hopefully, they wont clarify too much.

Migration: The End of King Lion 1

of his memory.  He flew higher to be alone.

They may not remember; bird himself may not remember, but it happened regardless.  That King was so stubborn.  In the end, his defeat would unite them all.

..... The bulk of this is digital.  Starting with a simple red line in the sketchbook, it moves to PS.  I just said I would keep Migration mostly traditional painting.  This is either a exception or an evolution.

Time

There was no convincing needed for her to join the group.  They never tried to convince anyone; it was circumstances that brought them together.  In the first months of their companionship, he thought constantly of the day he first saw her.  She reminded him of things and places he had never thought of.  Bird could not remember when he went from joining to leading.

Beauty Stunned Him

Lion had caught an illness from the flood and so couldn't smell her as being a female.  Bird recognized her as she was.  More than that he saw her in a way that reminded him of being human.  He froze and it all came flooding back.  The next moment, it was gone again and he was plunged into darkness, unconscious.

IF: Climbing / Migration: All Aboard!

They were to become his greatest teachers.

How They Met the Elephant

Though they would add a companion, it was through great loss.

Dont Be So Sure

There is no danger they will meet greater than the one they left behind.

White Tigers on Coquille Paper

The birds stayed out of the argument.  They thought it was useless to discuss such things let alone allow the unchangeable to come between friends.

Five Birds and a Lion

I have a few sketchbooks going right now.  One for general use and Illustration Friday, one for thesis patterns, one for a book Im working on, and this watercolor sketchbook.  My intentions for the watercolor one is this migration theme I started doing with deer a while back.  I keep doing these images and am giving in to it.  I love the long format and am curious as to where this migration will lead.  It will unfold itself and however long it takes, it takes, and where it goes, and where it ends, is mostly up to it.